Botswana out to shock Algeria
Yesterday at 09:00 AM
Botswana will be looking to register their third win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they square off with Algeria on Friday.
Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.
The Group G match is scheduled to be played at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in the second-largest city in Botswana, Francistown.
The Zebras are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions, having held Egypt to a 1-1 draw in the 2025 AFCON qualifier in November 2024 and it was their second successive draw.
Botswana are placed third in the Group G standings – three points behind leaders, Algeria, and second-placed Mozambique with six matches left in this round of the qualifiers.
“Kabelo Dambe and Phoko were the members who were very key in us qualifying for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and we felt that with him (Phoko) being ready to play, fit to compete, it is very important for us to have him,” Botswana head coach Morena Ramoreboli said on Mmegi.
“We held our camp in Jwaneng where we made our assessments and we established that he is ready to play, fit to compete. We have enough time to bring him in camp to make sure that he gives us what he usually gives us.”
Meanwhile, Algeria are also enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions, having thumped Liberia 5-1 in the 2025 AFCON qualifier in November 2024 – a sixth win in their last seven games.
The Desert Foxes are placed at the top of the Group G standings and a win over Botswana would see the North African giants take a step towards qualifying for the World Cup for the fifth time.
Botswana’s number one goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko, has been included in the latest Zebras squad despite having struggled with injuries in the current season.
Algeria, on the other hand, have had to make several changes to their squad due to injuries and the likes of Oussama Benhot, and Sohaib Nair have been added to the Desert Foxes squad.
“Benbot has been part of our goalkeeping arsenal, but it's now time to introduce Sohaib Nair,” Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic said on Footboom.
“He’s been on our radar and has shown impressive physical attributes in his club matches, which we believe can enhance our gameplay.”
Botswana and Algeria have met twice and both matches were won by the Desert Foxes.
Their last meeting ended in a 5-0 win in favour of the North African giants in the 2021 AFCON qualifier played in Blida in March 2021.
